Benicar Drug Study

In making a Drug Study, the following elements must be present: Generic Name and the
Brand name (not all brands, just the brand used by the patient), Action, Indication,
Pregnancy Category, Drug Classification, and Contraindication, Adverse Effect, Drug
interaction and Nursing Consideration/Intervention. Most clinical instructors preferred this
to be in a long bond paper in printed or handwritten with paper in landscape.

Olmesartan medoxomil
Brand Name: Benicar
Pregnancy Category C (first trimester), Pregnancy Category D
(second and third trimesters)
Drug classes: Angiotensin II receptor antagonist, Antihypertensive,
Therapeutic actions
Selectively blocks the binding of angiotensin II to specific tissue receptors
found in the vascular smooth muscle and adrenal gland; this action blocks
the vasoconstricting effect of the reninangiotensin system as well as the
release of aldosterone leading to decreased blood pressure; may prevent the
vessel remodeling associated with the development of atherosclerosis.
Indication
Treatment of hypertension, alone or in combination with other
antihypertensive agents
Contraindications
Contraindicated with hypersensitivity to any component of the drug;
pregnancy (use during the second or third trimester can cause injury or even
death to the fetus), lactation.
Adverse effects
Headache, dizziness, syncope, muscle weakness, Hypotension, tachycardia,
Rash, inflammation, urticaria, pruritus, alopecia, dry skin, Diarrhea,
abdominal pain, nausea, constipation, dry mouth, dental pain, Increased
CPK, hyperglycemia, hypertriglyceridemia, URI symptoms, bronchitis, cough,
sinusitis, rhinitis, pharyngitis
Back pain, flulike symptoms, fatigue, hematuria, arthritis, angioedema
Nursing considerations
Administer without regard to meals.

 Ensure that patient is not pregnant before beginning therapy; suggest the
use of barrier birth control while using olmesartan; fetal injury and deaths
have been reported.
Find an alternate method of feeding the infant if given to a nursing mother.
Depression of the reninangiotensin system in infants is potentially very
dangerous.
Alert surgeon and mark patient's chart with notice that olmesartan is being
taken. The blockage of the reninangiotensin system following surgery can
produce problems. Hypotension may be reversed with volume expansion.
Monitor patient closely in any situation that may lead to a decrease in blood
pressure secondary to reduction in fluid volume--excessive perspiration,
dehydration, vomiting, diarrhea--excessive hypotension can occur.